I've come to reconsider where I stand on the whole copyright issue, in regards to work that appears on my blog. If you happen to see art that I've created on this blog and it inspires you, by all means go ahead and appropriate it. If you want to modify it, scraplift it, use only parts of it or copy it outright, you have my permission to do so here. If you want to give me credit, fine. If you don't, that's okay too. I've been inspired by countless other people in all walks of life and I believe that generosity of spirit is much greater than any personal pride or glory I could achieve from claiming to be the first or the best to do anything. The sole exception to this would be photos of my family, to protect their privacy.
The vintage images that appear in this blog are digitally altered and colored by scrapologie. Feel free to use them for your personal use, however you like!

January 22, 2013

Here's my promised image for the week... the first one is the original "Bonne Fete" postcard. Click on each image to save and print full size. I removed the text on the second one with the clone tool in PS. I added a Valentine message on the third one in case you want to use it as a Valentine card. Enjoy!

January 21, 2013

Grumble. It has occurred to me that I am the only person in my house who knows how to change a roll of toilet paper. It's not rocket science, people!! It doesn't matter that in one of the bathrooms, there was a new multi-pack of toilet paper sitting just by the toilet. No one had bothered to even open the package, let alone take a new roll out and replace it onto the empty spindle. In another bathroom, a half-used roll of toilet paper sat on the counter, just inches away from the spindle. Apparently, the effort of removing it from its packaging was so exhausting, that there was no energy left over to see that it made its way onto the spindle. It's just the sort of thing that causes me to pause after the exertion of a rigorous morning session of toilet paper replacement, in no less than three bathrooms, and ponder what would happen, if just for fun, I packed my bags and upped and left for a two month excursion to Kathmandu, just to see if anyone would replace the toilet paper roll in my absence. I have a feeling the unopened multipack of toilet paper would still be there to greet me, two months later.

After reflecting on the institution of marriage for over 17 years, it's begun to dawn on me that it's not the big things that count in maintaining a happy balance in relationships. At the end of the day, religion, politics and money all take the backseat to the lesser matters of the day - which, as it turns out, is the toilet paper.

I was intrigued when a friend (who happens to be Christian) told me that she and her spouse underwent a pre-marital interview with their pastor at their church, to ensure that they were compatible, and to have the blessings of the church to proceed with their holy union. Sure, they've been married for 14 years now, but I couldn't help but wonder if they tackled the bigger issue of toilet-paper-roll-changing etiquette at the pre-marital interview. I am thinking probably not, as she tends to complain about the same issues that I do. Her spouse works in the financial sector, but really, it doesn't matter - I know of physicists and mechanical engineers who are mystified and daunted by the prospect of changing a roll of toilet paper.

Having had a Hindu marriage ceremony myself, I can't help but feel I missed out on the telling pre-marital interview, though it's hard to imagine my Sanskrit-chanting, bare-chested, cotton dhoti-clad priest, with his limited command of English, conducting a pre-marital interview to ensure compatibility. But you can be sure if I ever get married again, I'll interview the candidate myself!

What sort of questions should be asked at a pre-marital interview? Certainly, it's important to cover the issues on how the couple will manage money, their religious beliefs, their roles in the relationship, their ideas on child rearing, at what temperature the thermostat should be set, etc. But let's face it, none of the answers to the aforementioned even matter, if they don't share similar beliefs on toilet-paper-roll-changing etiquette.

Therefore, I have constructed a short sample questionnaire which I will be sure to send, along with a letter of recommendation that these questions be added to the existing set of pre-marital interview questions posed to those hopeful, happy couples presenting for the Lord's blessings, to the heads of the major churches in the United States: Roman Catholic, Episcopalian, Lutheran, Methodist, Baptist, Eastern Orthodox, Anglican, Mormon, etc.

It is my firm belief that these questions should be mandatory and posed in a pre-marital interview session, for all couples, regardless of faith or creed:

1) Do you even check before you sit down to use the facilities, whether the toilet paper has depleted on the roll?

a) yes ----> Good choice! Move on to the next question!b) no ------> Wrong answer. Check with your optometrist as to whether you need glasses.

2) What is your response when you see that the toilet paper has depleted on the roll?

a) I immediately check my well-stocked pantry and get a roll of Charmin (the extra-fluffy kind that my spouse likes), and replace it like the grown-ass man (or woman) that I am, with an air of responsibility and accomplishment.b) I holler for someone to get me some toilet paper, while attempting to use the two remaining squares that are sticking to the cardboard.c) I grab a tissue from the box of tissues on the counter, instead.d) What toilet paper??

3) The correct placement for the toilet paper is:

a) on the spindle, positioned so that the paper rolls under, not over.b) on the spindle, positioned so that the paper rolls over, not underc) on the sink, floor or anywhere close enough to grab.d) what toilet paper?

4) The correct position for the toilet seat after I've used the facilities is:a) downb) up

If you and your prospective spouse answered all a's, you get a diploma in Advanced Toilet Paper Roll Changing Etiquette from me, and you have my blessings to marry, knowing that you can confidently navigate any rough waters ahead since you've dealt with the far weightier matters!

In the event that you are one of those unfortunate souls who is already married to someone who has failed the quiz above, then you will want to gently direct him or her to this insightful and informative how-to article from e-How, which is very helpful in the instruction of changing the toilet paper roll. Just smile very sweetly and tell them it's in the interest of retaining your marital bliss. After all, we all have to learn, SOME time!

January 20, 2013

You've grown so much this year. Not just physically, though you've certainly shot up in height, and are just a few inches shorter than me. I see the growth that is taking place inside you as well: mentally, emotionally, spiritually and in many other ways. In nothing else have I been so fortunate in life as in having been given the gift that is you. Childhood is fleeting, and I try to make the most of every day with you. Some days I come home tired and exhausted, and wishing I could do more for you. But I do the best I can, and I know you will always know how much I love you.

Seeing the changes that are taking place every day makes me want to hang on to these days, and hold them in the palm of my hands forever. But as I know that cannot happen, I want to atleast journal and document some of the changes I've witnessed:

You're growing into a beautiful young girl (inside and out). As your own mother, I shouldn't be the one to say it, but looking at you takes my breath away.

You started gymnastics this year. At 5'4", you tower over all the other petite girls, much like your mother did when I was your age. But you lack nothing in grace, and I can see your confidence building with each new thing you learn.

You've expressed a desire to play soccer, so we'll start that this year as well. I'm thrilled that you're finally showing interest in sports!

You love to read, and your favorite pastime is spending hours reading books. Your reading program at school requires you to read 500 pages every nine weeks. At this point the total requirement for the school year so far has been 1500 pages. You've already logged over 12,000 pages! You enjoyed the Lemony Snicket series and are constantly reading multiple books at the same time.

You spent a whole weekend researching Native Americans and doing a written report to turn in to Mrs. Conley - just because you wanted to! It was your idea, it wasn't assigned as a homework project, but you showed such initiative in doing this extra work. I was so proud of you!

You spend hours with your friends listening to your favorite band (One Direction) and you have a crush on Niall.

You really truly believe that girls can do anything boys can do!

You stand up for yourself and for others when you witness someone being treated unfairly - so proud of you!

You are very sensitive to the needs of others - something I love about you!

You love telling me things you learned at school - explaining photosynthesis, chemical reactions and things you learn about the Native Americans. Your vocabulary has improved even though you make me smile at times with your usage (you asked me what happens when someone goes into a "comma", and I couldn't help but giggle when I explained that it was a "coma", not a "comma").

Your best friends are Rachel, Mattie and Lauren - you text Rachel a lot. You and Lauren are frequent playmates and you make up dances, sing out loud to One Direction, make homemade videos of each other, have fashion shows and generally enjoy being girls!

You have a burgeoning sense of fashion which is different from mine! You love clothes and accessories from Justice and lean towards bright neon colors and wild animal prints.

The years you spent in private school at Ecole Francaise made you a sensitive and loving child, particularly around children younger than you. You love your cousins and are loving and caring when three year old Vishnu follows you around everywhere.

You need your "me" time just like Mommy - and you spend it doing projects, arts and crafts, reading, listening to music, or painting your nails.

You are a homebody and prefer staying at home to going anywhere.

You enjoy being a girl scout, even though we have to push you out the door to scout meetings.

Your favorite snack is hot chocolate and popcorn during a movie.Your favorite movie right now is Despicable Me. You quote from it frequently.

You love your Goldendoodle Murphy like a sibling and take good care of him.

You still love having Mommy read you bedtime stories and tucking you in with a glass of warm milk.

You just started sleeping in your own bed, after seven years of sleeping with Mommy in her bed. That was bittersweet for me - I miss cuddling you at bedtime, but know that I have to let you grow up.... even though I can't help but want to say to you....

January 17, 2013

As a second-generation Indian American and a language lover, I have often felt that growing up in the midst of dual (and sometimes dueling) cultures has been both a blessing and a curse. To boot, being from Southern India and not a speaker of the national language (Hindi), I have, at times, felt that I have existed on the fringe of Indian culture and community. Worst of all is the knowledge that in India there exists a rich and varied cultural tradition of music, poetry, literature and art, of which I know very little. The best way I can describe it would be the feeling that one is an outsider in the midst of a very exclusive club, to which nearly every Indian is a card-carrying member.

Despite this setback, I grew up in a house where my parents loved and often shared their love of Indian music and culture with their three girls. It didn't matter that we children didn't know Hindi,and that many of the songs were sung in Hindi. My sisters and I grew up listening to the likes of Lata Mangeshkar, Kishore Kumar, Asha Bhosle, Mukesh and Mohammed Rafi, names that few of my readers will know, but were major Indian playback singers in their day. We sang along with the songs, many of them from popular Hindi films, butchering many of the Hindi words, and picking them up anyway, through imitation of the sounds we heard, but we got the melodies right, even though we had no idea what the words meant. Our introduction to Hindi came in the way of songs from Bollywood films - usually love songs or catchy, danceable tunes. At some point, we became aware that there was a finer, artistic side to Indian music - particularly when we learned of the existence of the Urdu language.

Urdu, which is the national language of neighboring Pakistan, is also spoken widely in India, and from what I have observed, enjoys a status equivalent to what the French language would be to the Western world.

I first heard Urdu spoken when I met a beautiful Pakistani girl in my sophomore year at Ohio State University and ended up living with her and her brother for a good many months. Even their simple greetings of "Assalaamu Alaikum" (Peace be upon you), the response "Wa'alaikum asalaam" (And upon you, peace) and "Khuda Hafiz" (May God be your guardian) sounded to me like the elevated speech of angels. I was literally enthralled hearing the soft, mellifluous words roll off their tongues and wished fervently that I could speak Urdu. Aziza taught me many things about Pakistan and plenty of Urdu words as well. She spoke intelligent and cultured English, but when she spoke Urdu, the sound of her words took on an angelic, almost magical quality.To this day I love hearing her speak Urdu, and when I recently visited her in her home in Washington, DC, felt again that longing to be a native and fluent speaker of Urdu.

Urdu is similar to Hindi, and they share many common words, but there are some significant differences:

Although the auditory sensation of Urdu has some relation with Hindi, there are some distinguishing substantive differences between the two languages. Hindi is usually written in Devanagari script, where as Urdu is generally written in Arabic script. Some words of Urdu are also taken from Turkish. As a result of combination of many languages, Urdu has ginormous (sic) set of purposeful and substantive words. The finesse and quality of Urdu literature is really appreciable. Urdu literature was comprised of mystic spiritual poems. Due to the spiritual leeway of the princedoms’ sawyers, Urdu literature adopted Hindu and Muslim motifs. (cited from www.indianchild.com)

Wikipedia cites the history of Urdu as follows:

Based on the Khariboli dialect of Delhi, Urdu developed under the influence of Persian, Arabic, and Turkic languages over the course of almost 900 years.It began to take shape in the region of Uttar Pradesh in the Indian subcontinent during the Delhi Sultanate (1206–1527), and continued to develop under the Mughal Empire (1526–1858). Urdu is mutually intelligible with Standard Hindi spoken in India. Both languages share the same Indo-Aryan base, and are so similar in basic structure, grammar and to a large extent vocabulary and phonology, that they appear to be one language. The combined population of Urdu and Standard Hindi speakers is the fourth largest in the world.

Urdu poetry is also very popular in India and Pakistan and has a long and rich history. I don't know enough about it myself, to expound upon it in detail but I first learned of Urdu poetry through my love of music, particularly my love of ghazals:

A ghazal is a poetic form consisting of rhyming couplets and a refrain, with each line sharing the same meter. A ghazal may be understood as a poetic expression of both the pain of loss or separation and the beauty of love in spite of that pain. The form is ancient, originating in 6th-century Arabic verse. (cited from Wikipedia)

I don't remember when I first heard the voice of (the now deceased) Jagjit Singh, one of India's foremost ghazal singers. I fell in love with his smooth, soulful voice. The following ghazal sung by Jagjit Singh and written by Ameer Meenai, a respected 19th century Urdu poet, is very popular in India and Pakistan. Titled "Sarakti Jaye Hai Rukh Se Naqab", it is a love song. In the video that follows, you can hear Jagjit Singh in concert singing an achingly beautiful rendition of this song. The sounds of shouting in the background are nothing less than the audience's effusive appreciation of his masterful singing, and probably of the poetry as well. I've included the lyrics in Urdu, and the translation below, found on the net; (however, not being a speaker of Urdu myself, I can't vouch for the accuracy of the translation). Nevertheless, if you've never heard a ghazal, or any other music, for that matter, from a different part of the world, I hope you'll open your heart and mind to this movingly beautiful work. I am living proof that you don't need to be an "insider" to love and appreciate music - music extends universal membership to all who seek it with love and an open heart, and breaks down the barriers of race, creed and language.

And to those who seek knowledge and enlightenment, perhaps knowledge and enlightenment also come to them at last... ahista, ahista.

Don't forget to scroll all the way down to pause the Music Box in the sidebar at the left, before you start the video!

I'd like to get back to sharing the vintage digitally colorized images I used to post on the blog. I won't promise a daily share, but I think I can manage atleast one a week, perhaps more. Hope this sweet image brightens your Monday. Have a great week!

January 11, 2013

Just popping in for a quick update. I've had to really dial down the exercise for about a week and a half now and it sucks. I am still going to the gym, switched to focusing on a resistance workout for my upper body and abs/torso workouts, plus lots of stretching. I've had to avoid the treadmill entirely and after nine days off, got back on the treadmill yesterday, walking, not running, for half an hour plus I started resistance on the lower body again. I still felt achy afterwards, but wasn't limping in pain like I had been 10 days ago. Still, I think I'm not fully recovered yet so I am going to take the weekend off and just focus on rest, ice, compression and elevation.It really makes one appreciate what athletes have to go through to stay healthy and on top of their game. If any of you runners out there have any tips on rebounding quickly from an injury - please let me know!

We're supposed to have an unusually warm weekend so I'm going to try and enjoy it while it lasts before we get our next blast of winter. Here's the photo update, holding steady at 142 lbs. and I expect I will until I can get back on the treadmill.

I really need to do a photoshoot of the little one soon - she was "too busy" last weekend and told me that she had "too many projects to do, Mommy". I think she's nine going on 23, sigh. Bon weekend!